Edwards, the JDF website says, has been involved in research surrounding transnational threat entities affecting Jamaica and the wider region, and was instrumental in the drafting of the National Strategy to counter transnational crime, which was commissioned by the Ministry of National Security in 2002.

Edwards, a graduate of Clarendon College, joined the JDF in October 1984 and was commissioned in the rank of second lieutenant in June 1986 after completing his initial officer training at the Indian Military Academy in Dehra-Dun India.

During his military service, Edwards held appointments of infantry platoon commander, battalion intelligence officer, support platoon commander, training officer (JDF Training Depot, now Military Training Wing), infantry company second in command, and infantry company commander.

His most recent appointment was commanding officer Support and Services Battalion.

He also served for more than fifteen years (1993-2008) in the HQ JDF Intelligence Unit, where he has held various appointments, including desk officer, unit second-in-command, and commanding officer.

Edwards is a graduate of the Infantry Officers Advance Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA; Defence Intelligence and Security School at Ashford in Kent, UK; and the International Security Management Course at the Royal Military College of Science (Cranfield University), Shrivenham, UK.

He is also a graduate of the Canadian Forces College in Toronto, where he successfully completed the inaugural National Security Programme.